A new bill filed by State Rep. Matthew Winslow in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate foods with vaccines and limit certain harmful additives in food products, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 440 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Healthy Food Healthy Bodies.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that foods containing vaccines be classified as drugs in North Carolina, amending the definitions in the state’s statutes. It also increases regulation against harmful additives in food products for human consumption by prohibiting substances such as brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and synthetic food dyes including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. Violations of these provisions could result in civil penalties of up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses. These changes regarding harmful additives will become effective Jan. 1, 2027, while the rest of the bill takes effect upon becoming law.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donny Lambeth proposed the most bills (29) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Winslow graduated from East Carolina University with a BS.
Winslow, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 7th House district, replacing previous state representative Lisa Barnes.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Winslow, Donnie Loftis, Donny Lambeth, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 440 | 03/18/2025 | Healthy Food Healthy Bodies. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brian Echevarria, Jimmy Dixon, and Neal Jackson | HB 432 | 03/18/2025 | Property Tax Relief Study. |
| Matthew Winslow, Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 364 | 03/11/2025 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, Phil Rubin, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 360 | 03/10/2025 | Homeowner Protection Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, Robert T. Reives, II, and Ya Liu | HB 361 | 03/10/2025 | Funds to Fight Deed and Title Fraud. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carson Smith, Edward C. Goodwin, and Joseph Pike | HB 299 | 03/05/2025 | Increase Disabled Veteran Prop Tax Benefit. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carla D. Cunningham, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 314 | 03/05/2025 | Removal of Squatters from Private Property. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 286 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Vance/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 287 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Franklin/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 291 | 03/04/2025 | Franklinton Annexations. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Celeste C. Cairns, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 58 | 02/04/2025 | Various Local Elections. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 14 | 01/29/2025 | Gambling Loss Tax Deduct, NC Sound Money Act. |
